Do you remember ever having a misperception about something? An experience or a phrase? My uncle thought “chest of drawers” was “chester drawers”. Or misheard lyrics – some of those are really funny! I enjoy having conversations with family and friends and discussing things we have all misunderstood at times. The Jet Trails quilt is about childhood and a misperception.

I was riding in the car with one of my daughters and looked up and saw multiple jet trails in the sky. She was younger at the time, probably 11 or 12, and told me when she was a kid, probably around 8 years old, she thought thought people were flying around with jet packs up in the sky. I laughed! I liked having a peek into her young childhood mind as well as a reminder of the magical thinking of childhood.

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As Sadie and I talked, the idea of making a quilt formed. The simplicity of the double jet trails against the brilliant blue sky provided just what I needed for inspiration. I also wanted to incorporate the jet pack because that is the humorous and magical part of the memory for me.

Motherhood has been full of all kinds of experiences including a lot of service and care taking, especially when my kids were younger. During all of those years, my kids have done and said a lot of funny things and I wish had been better at journaling their “kidisms”. There have been times when I listened, heard and remembered what they said. Making this quilt helped me capture a moment knowing that there are so many others even if I cannot remember them all. This quilt is one small reminder of their childhood and my motherhood all stitched up together.

I made this quilt many years ago but never liked the openness of the fuel tanks on the jet pack. Sadie saw the quilt a few days ago and asked if she could have it. She told me she’s been waiting a long time. It only took a few hours to add some stitching to the jet pack and I like the texture it added and made it feel more complete.

Quilt Details:
Size: Approximately 70 inches long x 40 inches wide.
Jet trails: Made in almost in an improv fashion, drawn out and pieced together as I was making the top.
Jet pack: I drew up a foundation paper pieced pattern for the fuel canisters, created bias tape for the straps and appliqué them on, and used 3 colors of perle cotton for stitching the flames.
Fabric and Thread: Robert Kaufman solids and Aurifil thread for quilting.

Happy Quilting! ▶︎ ▶︎ ▶︎